Methods and systems for demonstrating differences between and benefits of products

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are methods and systems of demonstrating advantages and benefits of premium animal care products, the methods comprising the steps of: presenting a first demonstration aid wherein the first demonstration aid demonstrates a first feature or characteristic; presenting a second demonstration aid wherein the second demonstration aid demonstrates a second feature or characteristic; describing to an audience the first feature or characteristic; describing to an audience the second feature or characteristic; and comparing the first and second features or characteristics to demonstrate the advantages and benefits of the animal care product. The methods and systems can include methods and systems of demonstrating reduced hair ingestion and hairball related effects; methods and systems of demonstrating improvements in skin and coat; and methods and systems of demonstrating better absorption and/or retention of food and nutrients, and production of less waste.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional No. 60/998,556,filed on Oct. 11, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to demonstrating benefits of products.In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and systemsof demonstrating and comparing differences between, and benefits of,products, particularly wherein such differences and/or benefits are notnecessarily easily visualized or understandable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pet food producers, particularly producers of foods and treats fordomestic and/or companion animals such as, but not limited to, dogs,cats, fish, birds, rodents, and horses have increasingly begun todevelop premium products which provide greater nutrition and/or higherquality ingredients than do similar standard products of equal amount orvolume. Producers of products for human consumption have likewise begunto produce and offer a greater number and variety of so-called premiumproducts.

It is important for the ultimate consumer purchaser, animal healthcareprovider, retail and wholesale purchasing and sales personnel, andmanufacturer sales personnel to understand the advantages and benefitsprovided by such premium products. Non-limiting examples of suchbenefits can include improvements in: skin, hair, coat, vitality,agility, mobility, digestive system, cognitive ability, ocular function,and combinations thereof.

However, it is often difficult to demonstrate the advantages andbenefits of such premium products because some such advantages andbenefits are not necessarily easily visualized, or the benefits oftenbecome evident only over a period of time and thus are not easily noted.Therefore, there is a need for simple, easy-to-understand methods andsystems of demonstrating benefits and advantages of premium products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

-   -   1. The present invention is directed to methods and systems of        demonstrating advantages and benefits of an animal care product,        the methods including:        -   a.) presenting a first demonstration aid wherein the first            demonstration aid demonstrates a first feature or            characteristic;        -   b.) presenting a second demonstration aid wherein the second            demonstration aid demonstrates a second feature or            characteristic;        -   c.) describing to an audience the first feature or            characteristic;        -   d.) describing to an audience the second feature or            characteristic;        -   e.) comparing the first and second feature or            characteristic; and        -   f.) describing the advantages and benefits of the animal            care product.

The methods and systems of the invention can include methods and systemsof demonstrating reduced hair ingestion and hairball related effects;methods and systems of demonstrating improvements in skin, hair, andcoat; and methods and systems of demonstrating better digestion, betterabsorption and/or retention of food and nutrients, and production ofless waste.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a demonstration aid for use in a method andsystem for demonstrating hair ingestion by an animal.

FIG. 1B is a front view of a demonstration aid for use in a method andsystem for comparing hair ingestion.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a first demonstration aid for use in a methodand system for demonstrating premium pet food advantages and benefits toskin and coat of an animal.

FIG. 2B is a front view of a second demonstration aid for use in amethod and system for demonstrating premium pet food advantages andbenefits to skin and coat of an animal.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a system for use with a methodof demonstrating digestion and nutrition benefits and waste productionreduction when using a premium pet food.

FIG. 4A is a partially exploded view of a front of a first demonstrationaid for use in a method and system for demonstrating digestion andnutrition benefits and waste production reduction when using a premiumpet food.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a rear of a first demonstration aid foruse in a method and system for demonstrating digestion and nutritionbenefits and waste production reduction when using a premium pet food.

FIG. 4C is a cut away view of a first demonstration aid for use in amethod and system for demonstrating digestion and nutrition benefits andwaste production reduction when using a premium pet food.

FIG. 4D is a top view of a portion of a first demonstration aid for usein a method and system for demonstrating digestion and nutritionbenefits and waste production reduction when using a premium pet food.

FIG. 5A is a partially exploded view of a front of a seconddemonstration aid for use in a method and system for demonstratingdigestion and nutrition benefits and waste production reduction whenusing a premium pet food.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a rear of a second demonstration aidfor use in a method and system for demonstrating digestion and nutritionbenefits and waste production reduction when using a premium pet food.

FIG. 5C is a cut away view of a second demonstration aid for use in amethod and system for demonstrating digestion and nutrition benefits andwaste production reduction when using a premium pet food.

FIG. 5D is a top view of a portion of a second demonstration aid for usein a method and system for demonstrating digestion and nutritionbenefits and waste production reduction when using a premium pet food.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems ofdemonstrating advantages and benefits of a product.

As used herein, the term “product” includes foods, drinks, beverages,treats, toys, supplements, and washing compositions for animals and/orhumans.

As used herein, the term “animal care product” includes foods, drinks,beverages, treats, toys, supplements, and washing compositions foranimals.

As used herein, the term “describing” includes describing, presenting,demonstrating, explaining, indicating, and providing, or likewiseconveying information, including description in one or more languages,live audio and/or visual in-person and/or pre-recorded information,written information in hard copy text, written information viewable on acomputer or television screen, pictorial information viewable on acomputer or television screen, written, audio, visual and/or pictorialinformation stored on a computer readable medium, and combinationsthereof.

As used herein, the term “instructions” to accompany the demonstrationaids, and to aid in executing the methods of the invention includesinstructions: presented in one or more languages; in live audio and/orvisual in-person and/or pre-recorded form; written in hard copy text;viewable on a computer or television screen; pictorial instructionsviewable on a computer or television screen; written, audio, visualand/or pictorial instructions stored on a computer readable medium;diagrams; flow charts; and combinations thereof. Such instruction can bepresented and/or stored on paper, photograph, magnetic tape, digitaland/or computer readable media, as well as be presented via a globalcomputer network such as the Internet, in person, at a kiosk, via atelevision and/or computer screen, and combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term “audience” includes retail consumers and/orpurchasers purchasing for their own or their animals' consumption oruse; buyers purchasing on behalf of a retail and/or wholesale business;sales personnel selling at a retail and/or wholesale business; salespersonnel selling to a retail and/or wholesale business; andcombinations thereof. “Relevant audience” means the desired or targetaudience.

As used herein, a “premium” product includes any product having typesof, amounts of, and/or quality of ingredients exceeding relevantapplicable and/or minimum regulatory standards.

A first embodiment of the present invention is a method of demonstratingadvantages and benefits of an animal care product comprising the stepsof:

-   -   a.) presenting a first demonstration aid wherein the first        demonstration aid demonstrates a first feature or        characteristic;    -   b.) presenting a second demonstration aid wherein the second        demonstration aid demonstrates a second feature or        characteristic;    -   c.) describing to an audience the first feature or        characteristic;    -   d.) describing to an audience the second feature or        characteristic;    -   e.) comparing the first and second feature or characteristic;        and    -   f.) describing the advantages and benefits of the animal care        product.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a system fordemonstrating advantages and benefits of an animal care productcomprising:

-   -   a.) a first demonstration aid wherein the first demonstration        aid demonstrates a first feature or characteristic;    -   b.) a second demonstration aid wherein the second demonstration        aid demonstrates a second feature or characteristic; and    -   c.) an optional visual aid.

The methods and systems of the present invention can also includeinstructions for practicing and/or executing the methods and using thesystems, i.e. for performing the demonstration and comparison methodsand/or using the demonstration systems.

Non-limiting examples of a first feature or characteristic can includecharacteristics of an animal and/or human, characteristics of a product,and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of characteristics of ananimal and/or human can include appearance, amount, and texture of coatof fur of an animal and/or hair of a human; appearance and texture ofthe skin of an animal and/or human; color, consistency, and amount ofwaste of an animal and/or human.

Non-limiting examples of a second feature or characteristic can includecharacteristics of an animal and/or human, characteristics of a product,and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of characteristics of ananimal and/or human can include appearance, amount, and texture of coatof fur of an animal and/or hair of a human; appearance and texture ofthe skin of an animal and/or human; color, consistency, and amount ofwaste of an animal and/or human.

Non-limiting examples of first and second demonstration aids usable withthe various embodiments of the present invention include posters;photographs; touchable devices; substances; containers of material;electronic presentation devices such as computers and screens;combinations thereof; and the like.

Non-limiting examples of visual aids usable with the various embodimentsof the present invention include posters; photographs; electronicpresentation devices such as computers and screens; labels; combinationsthereof; and the like.

EXAMPLES

The following examples further describe and demonstrate particularembodiments within the scope of the present invention. The examples aregiven solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construedas limitations of the present invention, as one of skill in the art willrecognize that many variations thereof are possible without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Any exemplifiedconcentrations are weight-weight percents, unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 Hairball Demonstration Method and System

It is desirable to educate the relevant audience(s) regarding theadvantages and benefits of premium animal care products, such as petfoods, versus standard such animal care products. However, many suchadvantages and benefits can be difficult to explain, demonstrate, or seeinitially or over time. For example, it can be difficult for one toimagine exactly what a particular amount, weight, or volume of hair orfur might look like. Therefore, the methods and systems of the presentinvention provide easily visualizable and understandable means fordemonstrating such advantages and benefits and comparing animal careproducts.

In a method and system for demonstrating hair ingestion and hairballformation related benefits of a product, it is described to an audiencethat a cat spends approximately 30% of the time it is awake groomingitself, and that during such grooming small amounts of hair or fur areswallowed. It is described that on average, a cat swallows from about 4to about 10, and more particularly, from about 6.4 to about 7.4 ouncesof hair or fur annually. It is further described that only a smallportion of the amount of hair or fur swallowed passes naturally throughthe animal's system, the rest being accumulated in the animal's stomach,forming ball-like masses which must be expelled by coughing and/orvomiting, both of which cause the animal to lose valuable electrolytesessential to good health, and which cause the human caretaker to have toclean up an unpleasant mess.

Finally, it is described that to help control hairball formation anddevelopment, new premium cat foods have been developed. The importanceof diet, particularly a premium diet, in the control of hairballformation is emphasized and easily understood using an embodiment of themethods and systems of the present invention.

A method of demonstrating an amount of hair typically swallowed by a catduring a predetermined time period includes the steps of: presenting toan audience a first demonstration aid that can be visual and/ortangible, such as a container, preferably which is transparent andfilled with a predetermined quantity of material such as hair or fur, oran equivalent visualizable substitute such as string or yarn; anddemonstrating to the audience a first feature or characteristic, thefirst feature or characteristic being the predetermined quantity ofmaterial which can be an amount of hair or fur. The amount, weight, ormass of the predetermined quantity of material is described and shown,and can be further described using a visual aid such as a labelaffixable to and/or associated with the first demonstration aid.Non-limiting examples of transparent containers include: reclosable,reusable and/or disposable plastic containers, plastic bags, glasscontainers, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of materialsfrom which, and/or on which, a label can be formed include paper,plastics, wood, metal, and glass. A label can also be printed directlyon the demonstration aid.

The present embodiment also includes a method and system ofdemonstrating that feeding a premium pet food can reduce hair ingestionand hairball formation versus a standard pet food. Such a methodincludes the steps of: presenting to an audience, in addition to thefirst demonstration aid, a second demonstration aid that can be a secondtransparent container filled with a second predetermined quantity ofmaterial illustrating a second feature or characteristic such as asecond amount of hair or fur, wherein the second predetermined quantityof material is less than the predetermined quantity of material, fromabout 20% to about 70% less, alternatively from about 30% to about 60%less, alternatively from about 40% to about 50% less, and alternativelyabout 40% less (by weight or volume); and comparing the predeterminedquantity of material with the second predetermined quantity of material,indicating that the second predetermined quantity of materialrepresents, and/or illustrates a reduced amount of hair ingested, due tofeeding an animal the premium pet food. Thus, the advantages andbenefits of the premium pet food can be demonstrated and compared to astandard pet food. The second demonstration aid can also have a visualaid such as a label affixable to and/or associated therewith.Non-limiting examples of the second quantity of material include hair,fur, string, yarn, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples oftransparent containers include: reclosable, reusable and/or disposableplastic containers, plastic bags, glass containers, and combinationsthereof. Non-limiting examples of materials from which, and/or on which,a label can be formed include paper, plastics, wood, metal, and glass. Alabel can also be printed directly on the demonstration aid.

FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having ademonstration aid 10 containing a predetermined quantity of material 12.Demonstration aid 10 is a transparent container. A visual aid such as alabel 14 can be affixable to demonstration aid 10, indicating, forexample, an amount, weight, and/or type of material in the demonstrationaid 10. Such a demonstration aid can be used in a method and system toillustrate and explain the amount of hair or fur ingested by an animalin a given time period, for example, a year.

FIG. 1B illustrates a demonstration aid 16, a second transparentcontainer, containing a second predetermined quantity of material 18,which second predetermined quantity of material 18 is less thanpredetermined quantity of material 12. A visual aid such as a label 14can be affixable to second demonstration aid 16 to indicate, forexample, an amount, weight, and/or type of material in seconddemonstration aid 16. The demonstration aids 10 and 16 can then becompared to demonstrate the advantages and benefits of a premium petfood in reduction of hair ingestion and reduction in resulting hair ballformation, coughing, vomiting, and unpleasant clean up.

Example 2 Skin/Coat Demonstration Method and System

It can also be difficult for one to imagine exactly what variousanimals' skin, fur, coat or hair might look and feel like based oneating different foods. Therefore, the methods and systems of thepresent invention provide easily visualizable and understandable methodsand systems for comparing products and demonstrating advantages andbenefits of premium versus standard foods with respect to an animal'sskin, fur, coat and/or hair.

In a method and system for demonstrating and comparing skin, coat andoverall health related benefits of a product, it is explained to anaudience that the skin is the largest and one of the most importantorgans of the body, and because it is so visible, is also one of thebest indicators of overall physical condition. It is explained thatbecause fur and hair originates in the skin, its condition parallelsand/or indicates the condition of the skin, and accordingly, theanimal's or human's overall physical condition. It is explained that itis therefore important that animals and humans receive the mostnutritious diet available in order to assure proper and optimum skin,hair, fur, and/or coat condition. The nutritional value of a diet can beevaluated because healthy skin, hair, fur, and coat will shine and feelsoft and supple to the touch.

However, improvements in skin, hair, fur, and/or coat condition can bedifficult to see, particularly if changes occur over a period of time.It is explained that to provide the best skin, hair, fur and/or coatcondition, new premium foods have been developed. The importance of dietto healthy skin, hair, fur, and coat is emphasized and easily understoodusing the methods and systems of the present invention. In addition, thedifferences in skin, hair, fur and coat when using a premium food versusstandard food can be easily demonstrated, compared, and understood forbetter understanding of the advantages and benefits of a premium food.

An embodiment of the present invention is a method of demonstrating howa premium pet food can provide better skin, hair, fur, and coat versus astandard pet food comprising the steps of: presenting to an audience afirst demonstration aid that can be visual and/or tangible and has atexture, on an exterior surface, that is generally rough; contacting anarea of skin of a member of the audience with the exterior surface ofthe first demonstration aid; presenting to the audience a seconddemonstration aid that can be visual and/or tangible and has a texture,on an exterior surface, that is smoother and softer than the texture ofthe exterior surface of the first demonstration aid; contacting an areaof skin of the member of the audience with the exterior surface of thesecond demonstration aid; comparing the first demonstration aid with thesecond demonstration aid, and indicating that the second demonstrationaid represents a better skin, hair, fur, and coat condition, due tofeeding an animal a premium pet food, versus a different and/or standardfood as represented by the first demonstration aid.

The present embodiment can also include one or more optional visualaids, such as presenting and discussing one or more pairs ofphotographs, the pairs of photographs depicting contrasting skin, hair,fur, and coat conditions, non-limiting examples of which includephotographs of an animal before and after being fed premium food, and/orphotographs of animals that were fed premium vs. non-premium food. Forexample, two photographs can be presented. One photograph would show apicture of an animal fed non-premium food, and would be labeledaccordingly. The second photograph would show the same animal, at alater time period, after being fed premium food for a period of time,for example, three months, and would be labeled accordingly.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first demonstration aid 20, which can be formed ina variety of shapes, non-limiting examples of which include: glove,mitt, mitten, and sheet. Demonstration aid 20 can be formed from avariety of materials having a generally rough texture on exteriorsurface 22. Non-limiting examples of such materials include wovenmaterials, non-woven materials, natural materials, synthetic materials,and combinations thereof, for example, burlap. Such a demonstration aid20 can be used in a method and system to illustrate what an animal coatin poor condition would feel like. Also included in this embodiment, andshown in FIG. 2B, is a second demonstration aid 24, which can also beformed in a variety of shapes, non-limiting examples of which include:glove, mitt, mitten, and sheet. Second demonstration aid 24 can beformed from a variety of materials having a generally smooth, softexterior surface 26. Non-limiting examples of such materials includewoven materials, non-woven materials, natural materials, syntheticmaterials, and combinations thereof, for example, velvet, velour,corduroy, and fleece.

Both first and second demonstration aids 20, 24 respectively can havevisual aids associated therewith, such as a label affixable thereto,shown as labels 28 and 30 respectively. Labels 28, 30 can be made from avariety of materials, non-limiting examples of which include: plastic,nylon, wood, paper, cardboard, glass, metal and the like. Alternatively,labels can be printed directly on the demonstration aid. Such a label28, 30 can provide information useful to aid in identifying andcomparing differences in an animal's coat as represented by first andsecond demonstration aids 20, 24 respectively. Labels 28, 30 can beaffixed to first and second demonstration aids 20, 24 by a cord orstring 28 a, 30 a respectively. Alternatively such labels can be affixedby sewing or adhesive. In addition, other visual aids such as one ormore photographs of one or more animals can be used to show and comparevarious skin and coat conditions. Such visual aids can be presented inhard copy or can be electronically presented, for example on atelevision or computer monitor type screen.

Example 3 Food Waste Demonstration Method and System

It can be particularly difficult for one to imagine exactly how a foodcan affect an animal's nutrition and production of waste (i.e. stool,feces, excrement), particularly, for example with respect to quantity ofwaste produced. The methods and systems of the present invention provideeasily visualizable and understandable means for demonstrating andcomparing advantages and benefits of premium versus standard pet foodswith respect to an animal's nutrition and waste production.

In a method and system for demonstrating effects of food on nutritionand waste production, particularly with respect to amount of foodretained and used by an animal and amount of waste produced by ananimal, it is explained to an audience that pet food producers havedeveloped premium products which provide greater nutrition than dostandard products of equal volume. For example, it can be explained thatit has been shown that an animal given three cups of premium foodproduces about one half cup of waste, whereas the same animal giventhree cups of standard food produces about one and one half cups ofwaste. Therefore, it can be explained and easily understood that more ofthe premium food is retained, absorbed, and used by the animal, and thattherefore the animal fed premium food will gain greater nutritionalvalue from consumption of premium food versus consumption of standardfood.

An embodiment of the method and system of the present invention fordemonstrating and comparing how a premium pet food can provide greaterand/or better digestion of food, greater retention of nutrients, andless waste production versus a different or standard pet food, comprisesthe steps of: presenting to an audience a first demonstration aid thatcan be visual and/or tangible, into which a quantity of a first pet foodis depositable and from which a portion of the first pet food isrecoverable; presenting to an audience a second demonstration aid thatcan be visual and/or tangible, into which a same quantity of a secondpet food is depositable and from which a portion of the same quantity ofsecond pet food is recoverable; depositing a quantity of the first petfood into the first demonstration aid; depositing the same quantity ofthe second pet food into the second demonstration aid; recovering aportion of the quantity of the first pet food from the firstdemonstration aid; recovering a portion of the same quantity of thesecond pet food from the second demonstration aid; wherein the portionof the same quantity of the second pet food recovered is less than theportion of the quantity of the first pet food recovered; and explainingto the audience that the portion of the same quantity of the second petfood recovered represents a premium pet food that produces less wastethan a non-premium pet food, thus resulting in a pet fed the premium petfood retaining more of the premium pet food for the pet's nutrition,while reducing production of waste which must be disposed of. Thus, theamount of waste produced per unit amount of premium pet food ingested isless than the amount of waste produced per unit amount of standard petfood ingested.

Although the example herein relates to pet foods, such a method andsystem can be used to compare and/or contrast any food product, theamount of absorption of which, and the amount of waste producedtherefrom, represents the product's usefulness, nutritional value,and/or benefit.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a portion of a system for demonstratingand comparing, via amount of food ingested vs. amount of waste produced,advantages and benefits of a premium pet food vs. a standard pet food.FIG. 3 summarizes the steps for using each of first and seconddemonstration aids, the steps comprising: presenting a demonstration aid32; depositing an amount of material 34, such as pet food, into thedemonstration aid 32; pulling a lever or protrusion 36 at the rear ofthe device such that a portion of the material 34 falls into a lowertray or drawer 40; and removing the lower tray or drawer 40 through thefront of the device to demonstrate amount of waste produced. Two suchdemonstration aids can be used together in a method of the invention.Each demonstration aid can be constructed to deposit a different amountof food into the drawer 40. Thus, multiple devices can be used todemonstrate, via a side-by-side comparison, the amount of waste producedfrom ingestion of different foods.

In summary, FIGS. 4A-D and FIGS. 5A-D illustrate a pair of fillabledemonstration aids usable in an embodiment of the methods and systems ofthe present invention. Each aid delivers a different amount of materialrepresenting food ingested and waste produced. The structure andoperation of the demonstration aids is described in detail below.

Such an embodiment includes a first demonstration aid that can depict ananimal on a front facing which can have graphics thereon, and a seconddemonstration aid that can depict the same animal on a front facing. Thetwo demonstration aids appear visually identical from the front, howevereach has a different interior structure such that each meters through adifferent amount of a given material deposited into the demonstrationaid. For example, if three cups of standard pet food are deposited intoan embodiment of a first demonstration aid, illustrated in FIGS. 4A-D,per the method illustrated in FIG. 3, in one embodiment about one andone half cups of pet food are delivered through and are recoverable fromthe first demonstration aid. However, when three cups of pet food aredeposited in an embodiment of a second demonstration aid, as illustratedin FIGS. 5A-D, per the method illustrated in FIG. 3, only one half cupof material is delivered through and is recoverable from the seconddemonstration aid. Thus, a visually discernable difference in amount offood ingested versus amount of waste produced can be demonstrated usingtwo such aids.

Each demonstration aid can be made from a variety of materials. Thephysical structure of the demonstration aids is relatively simple. Allparts of each demonstration aid can, if desired, be made from the samematerial, or different materials. Non-limiting examples of materialsfrom which the demonstration aids can be made include: wood, fiberboard, cardboard, poster board, foam, plastic, fiberglass, metal, glass,and combinations thereof. The depiction of an animal on the front facingcan be formed in a variety of ways, non-limiting examples of whichinclude: drawing and/or painting in pencil, ink, paint; computergenerated printout, photographic image, screen printing, andcombinations thereof. The demonstration aids can also be provided withinstructions for using the aids in the methods of the invention.

More particularly, FIG. 4A illustrates the front of a firstdemonstration aid 42. Aid 42 can include front facing 44 which can beformed in the shape of an animal, for example a dog sitting in grass.Front facing 44 can have a graphic illustration of the front of the dogdepicted thereon (as shown in FIG. 3), showing eyes, mouth etc. Althoughembodiments of the demonstration aids are shown herein as having a frontfacing, such a facing is not required in order to demonstrate the effectof premium food in nutrient retention and waste reduction. However,having such a front facing aids in visualization and comprehension ofthe methods and results.

A drawer 46 is insertable and removable through front facing 44. Drawer46 can be completely or partially removable. Drawer 46 can include adetail such as an outwardly extending rib, protrusion, tab, or handle 50which can be gripped for insertion and removal of drawer 46. Drawer 46can contain a material such as for example pet food 52. Drawer 46includes a front surface 48 that can remain flush with front facing 44when drawer 46 is fully closed.

FIG. 4B illustrates the rear of first demonstration aid 42. Attachableto front facing 44 is an upright structure 54. Upright structure 54 hasa bottom 56 and four surfaces 58 a-d, front, rear, left and right siderespectively, and an upward open end 60. Upright structure 54 encloses avolume sufficient to contain a pre-determined amount of material such asfor example pet food 52 shown in FIG. 4A.

Upright structure 54 includes four extended portions 62 a-d extendingupwardly respectively from each side surface 58 a-d. Two or more ofextended portions 62 a-d can be biased outwardly away from a verticalaxis of upright structure 54 to form a collection hopper 64 into which amaterial can be deposited. As shown in FIG. 4A, side extended portions62 c and 62 d are biased outwardly to form collection hopper 64.

FIG. 4B also shows a face of a second drawer 66 which can optionally beincluded. Drawer 66 can be located above drawer 46 and opens to the rearof demonstration aid 42. Drawer 66 can be gripped at its side edges 66a, 66 b for sliding drawer 66 into and out of upright structure 54.Second drawer 66 can be included to catch and contain material that isnot deposited into drawer 46.

Also shown in FIG. 4B is a detail such as an outwardly extending rib,protrusion, tab, or handle 68 which connects to a slidable horizontalpartition that is described below. Handle 68 can be gripped for slidingthe horizontal partition as described below.

FIG. 4C is a cut away view showing the inside of upright structure 54. Adownwardly extending vertical partition 70 is disposed within uprightstructure 54. Partition 70 extends between a lower portion of hopper 64and a plane that lies immediately above and parallel to an open,uppermost portion of drawer 46 if second drawer 66 is not used. If asecond drawer 66 is included, downwardly extending vertical partition 70terminates at a plane that lies immediately above and parallel to ahorizontal partition 72 described further below. The position ofvertical partition 70 within upright structure 54 defines twocompartments 74 a, 74 b that can be of equal or unequal size.Compartments 74 a, 74 b can be oriented, as shown, as front 74 a andrear 74 b compartments. Drawer 46 extends from the front surface 58 a,is adjacent and/or contiguous to the inside surfaces of side surfaces 58c, 58 d of upright structure 54 and terminates below and adjacent tovertical partition 70, thus extending under front compartment 74 a andproviding a means for catching and containing the material depositedinto compartment 74 a. Second drawer 66, if used, is openable to therear of demonstration aid 42, and terminates below and adjacent tovertical partition 70, thus extending under rear compartment 74 b andproviding a means for catching and containing material deposited intocompartment 74 b.

In this particular illustration of first demonstration aid 42,compartments 74 a, 74 b are of equal size. In an embodiment wherecompartments 74 a, 74 b are not of equal size, the smaller of the twocompartments 74 a can be located adjacent front side surface 58 a,through which drawer 46 passes.

Upright structure 54 also has a horizontal partition 72 disposed withinupright structure 54 and extending through rear side surface 58 b ofupright structure 54, which rear side surface 58 b lies adjacent to therear and larger compartment 74 b if one compartment is larger than theother. Horizontal partition 72 can be disposed approximately at amidpoint of a height of upright structure 54. Horizontal partition 72extends through rear side surface 58 b and is adjacent to and/orcontiguous with the inside surfaces of each of side surfaces 58 a-d,thus effectively providing a floor or means of catching and containingany material deposited into collection hopper 64. Horizontal partition72 is slidable frontwardly and rearwardly through rear side surface 58 bsuch that rearward sliding of horizontal partition can release thecontents of one or both of compartments 74 a, 74 b as desired. Whenhorizontal partition 72 is slid rearwardly out of compartment 74 a, thecontents of compartment 74 a drop into drawer 46. When horizontalpartition is slid rearwardly out of compartment 74 b, the contents ofcompartment 74 b drop either to the bottom surface 56 of uprightstructure 54 or into second drawer 66 if second drawer 66 is used.

Horizontal partition 72 can include handle 68 for gripping, sliding andmanipulating horizontal partition 72. For ease of visualization handle68 is not shown in FIG. 4C.

Horizontal partition 72 can also include a stop mechanism 72 a toprevent complete and/or accidental removal of horizontal partition 72from upright structure 54. A non-limiting example of such a stopmechanism can be a protrusion extending upwardly away from a top surfaceof horizontal partition 72. Such a stop mechanism 72 a can be configuredso as to contact an inner surface of rear side surface 58 b of uprightstructure 54 so as to prevent further travel of horizontal partition 72.Stop mechanism can also be configured so as to allow horizontalpartition 72 to be completely removed from demonstration aid 42, bybypassing the stop mechanism if desired. In order remove horizontalpartition 72 from upright structure 54, a clearance aperture (not shown)can be provided through rear side surface 58 b. In order to remove thehorizontal partition 72 from upright structure 54, or move horizontalpartition 72 beyond vertical partition 70, a clearance aperture (notshown) can also be provided through vertical partition 70. Thoughparticular embodiments of a clearance aperture are not illustrated inthe Figures, one of skill in the art would understand from thedescription provided herein, how one could construct a variety of suchstop mechanisms and clearance apertures.

When second drawer 66 is used, horizontal partition 72 can be disposedjust above and parallel to an open top portion of second drawer 66. Forease of visualization of the interior of upright structure 54 seconddrawer 66 is not shown in FIG. 4C. However, if second drawer 66 is used,second drawer 66 extends through rear side surface 58 b, is adjacent toand/contiguous with the inside surfaces of left and right side surfaces58 c, 58 d, and terminates adjacent to downwardly extending verticalpartition 70, such that second drawer 66 forms a means for catching andcontaining the contents of rear compartment 74 b when horizontalpartition 72 is slid outwardly. Second drawer 66 pulls out to the rearof the demonstration aid, and can be partially or completely removable.

FIG. 4D illustrates, from above, front facing 44, handle 50 of drawer46, and the interior of upright structure 54 including side surfaces 58a-d, extended portions 62 a-d, vertical partition 70, handle 68 ofhorizontal partition 72 and equally sized compartments 74 a, 74 b.

FIG. 5A illustrates the front of a second demonstration aid 42 a. Aid 42a can include front facing 44 which can be formed in the shape of ananimal, for example a dog sitting in grass and can be identical to theanimal depicted on first demonstration aid 42. Front facing 44 can havea graphic illustration of the front of the dog depicted thereon (asshown in FIG. 3), showing eyes, mouth etc. Although embodiments of thedemonstration aids are shown herein as having a front facing, such afacing is not required in order to demonstrate the effect of premiumfood in nutrient retention and waste reduction. However, having such afront facing aids in visualization and comprehension of the method andresults.

A drawer 46 is insertable and removable through front facing 44. Drawer46 can be completely or partially removable. Drawer 46 can include adetail such as an outwardly extending rib, protrusion, tab, or handle 50which can be gripped for insertion and removal of drawer 46. Drawer 46can contain a material such as for example pet food 52. Drawer 46includes a front surface 48 that can remain flush with front facing 44when drawer 46 is fully closed.

FIG. 5B illustrates the rear of first demonstration aid 42 a. Attachableto front facing 44 is an upright structure 54. Upright structure 54 hasa bottom 56 and four surfaces 58 a-d, front, rear, left and right sidesrespectively, and an upward open end 60. Upright structure 54 encloses avolume sufficient to contain a pre-determined amount of material such asfor example pet food 52 shown in FIG. 5A.

Upright structure 54 includes four extended portions 62 a-d extendingupwardly respectively from each side surface 58 a-d. Two or more ofextended portions 62 a-d can be biased outwardly away from a verticalaxis of upright structure 54 to form a collection hopper 64 into which amaterial can be deposited. As shown in FIG. 4A, side extended portions62 c and 62 d are biased outwardly to form collection hopper 64.

FIG. 5B also shows a face of a second drawer 66 which can optionally beincluded. Drawer 66 can be located above drawer 46 and opens to the rearof demonstration aid 42 a. Drawer 66 can be gripped at its side edges 66a, 66 b for sliding drawer 66 into and out of upright structure 54.Second drawer 66 can be included to catch and contain material that isnot deposited into drawer 46.

Also shown in FIG. 5B is a detail such as an outwardly extending rib,protrusion, tab, or handle 68 which connects to a slidable horizontalpartition that is described below. Handle 68 can be gripped for slidingthe horizontal partition as described below.

FIG. 5C is a cut away view showing the inside of upright structure 54. Adownwardly extending vertical partition 70 is disposed within uprightstructure 54. Partition 70 extends between a lower portion of hopper 64and a plane that lies immediately above and parallel to an open,uppermost portion of drawer 46 if second drawer 66 is not used. Ifsecond drawer 66 is included, downwardly extending vertical partition 70would terminate at a plane that lies immediately above and parallel to ahorizontal partition 72 described further below. The position ofvertical partition 70 within upright structure 54 defines twocompartments 74 a, 74 b that can be of equal or unequal size.Compartments 74 a, 74 b can be oriented, as shown, as front 74 a andrear 74 b compartments. Drawer 46 extends from the front surface 58 a,is adjacent and/or contiguous to the inside surfaces of side surfaces 58c, 58 d of upright structure 54 and terminates below and adjacent tovertical partition 70, thus extending under front compartment 74 a andproviding a means for catching and containing the material depositedinto compartment 74 a. Second drawer 66, if used, is openable to therear of demonstration aid 42 a, and terminates below and adjacent tovertical partition 70, thus extending under rear compartment 74 b andproviding a means for catching and containing material deposited intocompartment 74 b.

In this particular illustration of second demonstration aid 42 a,compartments 74 a, 74 b are of unequal size. Compartments 74 a, 74 b canbe oriented, as shown, as front 74 a and rear 74 b compartments. In suchan embodiment where compartments 74 a, 74 b are not of equal size, thesmaller of the two compartments can be located adjacent front sidesurface 58 a, through which drawer 46 passes.

When compartments 74 a, 74 b are not of equal size, the volume of thelarger, rear compartment 74 b is from about 2 to about 10 times greaterthan the volume of the smaller, front compartment 74 a, alternativelyfrom about 3 to about 7 times greater than the volume of the smaller,front compartment 74 a, and alternatively about 5 times greater than thevolume of the smaller, front compartment 74 a. Thus, the amount orquantity of the second material, for example pet food, that isrecoverable from the second fillable demonstration aid is from about 2to about 10 times less, alternatively from about 3 to about 7 timesless, and alternatively about 5 times less than the amount or quantityof the first material, for example, pet food, that is recoverable fromthe first fillable demonstration aid 42.

Upright structure 54 also has a horizontal partition 72 disposed withinupright structure 54 and extending through rear side surface 58 b ofupright structure 54, which rear side surface 58 b lies adjacent to therear and larger compartment 74 b. Horizontal partition 72 can bedisposed approximately at a midpoint of a height of upright structure54. Horizontal partition 72 extends through rear side surface 58 b andis adjacent to and/or contiguous with the inside surfaces of each ofside surfaces 58 a-d, thus effectively providing a floor or means ofcatching and containing material deposited into collection hopper 64.Horizontal partition 72 is slidable frontwardly and rearwardly throughrear side surface 58 b such that rearward sliding of horizontalpartition can release the contents of one or both of compartments 74 a,74 b as desired. When horizontal partition 72 is slid rearwardly out ofcompartment 74 a, the contents of compartment 74 a drop into drawer 46.When horizontal partition is slid rearwardly out of compartment 74 b,the contents of compartment 74 b drop either to the bottom surface 56 ofupright structure 54 or into second drawer 66 if second drawer 66 isused.

Horizontal partition 72 can include handle 68 for gripping, sliding andmanipulating horizontal partition 72. For ease of visualization, handle68 is not shown in FIG. 5C.

Horizontal partition 72 can also include a stop mechanism 72 a toprevent complete and/or accidental removal of horizontal partition 72from upright structure 54. A non-limiting example of such a stopmechanism can be a protrusion extending upwardly away from a top surfaceof horizontal partition 72. Such a stop mechanism 72 a can be configuredso as to contact an inner surface of rear side surface 58 b of uprightstructure 54 so as to prevent further travel of horizontal partition 72.Stop mechanism can also be configured so as to allow horizontalpartition 72 to be completely removed from demonstration aid 42, bybypassing the stop mechanism if desired. In order remove horizontalpartition 72 from upright structure 54, a clearance aperture (not shown)can be provided through rear side surface 58 b. In order to remove thehorizontal partition 72 from upright structure 54, or move horizontalpartition 72 beyond vertical partition 70, a clearance aperture (notshown) can also be provided through vertical partition 70. Thoughparticular embodiments of a clearance aperture are not illustrated inthe Figures, one of skill in the art would understand from thedescription provided herein, how one could construct a variety of suchstop mechanisms and clearance apertures.

When second drawer 66 is used, horizontal partition 72 can be disposedjust above and parallel to an open top portion of second drawer 66. Forease of visualization of the interior of upright structure 54 seconddrawer 66 is not shown in FIG. 5C. However, if second drawer 66 is used,second drawer 66 extends through rear side surface 58 b, is adjacent toand/or contiguous with the inside surface of left and right sidesurfaces 58 c, 58 d, and terminates adjacent downwardly extendingvertical partition 70, such that second drawer 66 forms a floor or meansfor catching and containing the contents of rear compartment 74 b whenhorizontal partition 72 is slid outwardly. Second drawer 66 pulls out tothe rear of the demonstration aid, and can be partially or completelyremovable.

FIG. 5D illustrates, from above, front facing 44, handle 50 of drawer46, and the interior of upright structure 54 including side surfaces 58a-d, extended portions 62 a-d, vertical partition 70, handle 68 ofhorizontal partition 72 and unequally sized compartments 74 a, 74 b.

Thus, the first and second demonstration aids 42, 42 a shown in FIGS.4A-D and 5A-D can be used together as a system in a method of thepresent invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to demonstrate howdifferent foods yield differences in digestion, retention of nutrients,and production of waste.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments suitable for use in the present inventionhave been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications of the present invention can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It isintended to cover, in the appended claims, all such modifications thatare within the scope of this invention.

1. A method of demonstrating better skin and coat condition of an animalfed premium pet food versus standard pet food comprising the steps of:a. presenting to an audience a first demonstration aid having anexterior surface of a first texture; b. contacting an area of skin of amember of said audience with said exterior surface of said firstdemonstration aid; c. presenting to said audience a second demonstrationaid having an exterior surface of a second texture; d. contacting anarea of skin of said member of said audience with said exterior surfaceof said second demonstration aid; e. comparing said first demonstrationaid device with said second demonstration aid device; and f. describingto said audience that said second demonstration aid device represents abetter skin and coat condition, due to feeding an animal said premiumpet food versus said standard pet food; wherein at least one of thefirst demonstration aid and the second demonstration aid is in the formof a glove, mitt, or mitten.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidsecond texture is smoother and/or softer than said first texture.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said first demonstration aid is selected fromthe group consisting of glove, mitt, and mitten.
 4. The method of claim1 wherein said second demonstration aid is selected from the groupconsisting of: glove, mitt, and mitten.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid first demonstration aid is formed from materials selected from thegroup consisting of: woven materials, non-woven materials, naturalmaterials, synthetic materials, and combinations thereof.
 6. The methodof claim 1 wherein said second demonstration aid is formed frommaterials selected from the group consisting of: woven materials,non-woven materials, natural materials, synthetic materials, andcombinations thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising avisual aid selected from the group consisting of: poster, photograph,label, electronic presentation device, and combinations thereof.